Murtas reveals several distinct sides: the architecture around San Miguel, wine and agricultural traditions, and festivals and poetry. Buildings, collections and recurring celebration dates provide concrete starting points for planning a stay. This makes it possible to shape a culture-focused visit around your own interests and, if you wish, the events calendar.
Church, townscape and poetry
The parish church of San Miguel was built at the end of the 18th century on the foundations of an earlier mosque. Three tall naves, neoclassical furnishings and details made from locally quarried red marble define its architecture. The bell tower is a prominent visual landmark throughout the Sierra de la Contraviesa. The church thus brings together its architectural history and distinctive design.
A walk through Murtas leads along whitewashed streets lined with traditional chimneys, flat terraos roofed with launa, and covered tinaos. The condition of individual buildings may vary. The facades in Murtas also feature tiles bearing quintillas, or five-line poems.
Alpujarran Trovo is distinct from these: it is a form of improvised poetry accompanied by lutes, guitars and violins. In Murtas, troveros compete in controversias, or verbal duels. For travelers interested in literature and music, the contrast offers a tangible point of entry: five-line poems appear on tiles, while Trovo verses are improvised and accompanied by music.
Wine tradition and agricultural heritage
The Museo Enológico de la Contraviesa is part of the Centro Temático del Vino and is located in the oldest part of the winery. Its collection is devoted to the region’s winemaking tradition. Numerous agricultural implements and tools used for different tasks in the region are also on display. The theme therefore extends beyond wine to include other agricultural activities.
The protected historic site of Alpujarra Media Granadina and La Tahá is also connected to the place name: its third polygon covers the Cerrajón de Murtas.
Windmill and hiking route
The Murtas windmill stands in the Cuatro Vientos area. From its base, it offers a 360-degree panoramic view. Access may be restricted, so check the conditions before visiting.
A hiking route leads to the remains of a former fortification that guarded the crossing over the Contraviesa. Check access and trail conditions before setting out.
Festivals and processions
The Fiesta de la Parva is celebrated in August, and visitors can take part in threshing grain during the festivities. The San Miguel festivities, by contrast, take place every year on the last weekend of September. They include musical performances and communal meals. If you would like one of these events to be part of your stay, you can plan your trip around the dates given and check the event schedule in advance.
During the RomerĂa de la Santa Cruz, participants travel from the hermitage to Cortijo Morgana. The procession returns to the hermitage of Murtas. The silver image of Santa Cruz de Caravaca is the patron saint of Murtas.
Discover more destinations: Benamaurel, GĂłjar, Hernán-Valle, Belicena, MolvĂzar, TocĂłn, Torvizcon, Ferreira
For the full travel overview: Granada.
